We are fond of Hyatt high tea offer since we tried out one in Hyatt Saigon. However, Kuala Lumpur is not Saigon and the competition here is much bigger, in addition to that the high tea lovers are quite demanding. To point out, around KLCC Park is a real high tea war happening and we love it! As a matter of fact, we did our Best High Tea in Kuala Lumpur (KL) article. So please be our guest and check who are the best ones.
Luckily, it was weekend when we were in the city and this is the time when Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur is serving their High on sugar afternoon tea buffet in airy THIRTY8 restaurant. We love afternoon tea, we like buffets, putting these two together and we are on our way. Anyway, this Hyatt high tea buffet is a different experience than ordinary afternoon teas we are used to. Is it better? Find your answer in this Hyatt high tea review.
The Ambiance at THIRTY8 Restaurant
Hyatt high tea in Kuala Lumpur is served up at the 38th floor, where is spacious THIRTY8 Restaurant, Bar & Lounge. THIRTY8 has an outstanding 360-degree view of the city below. To point out, it is located right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, where the views over the urban jungle are more than exciting.
Besides the impressive look, I was taken back by the grandeur of the THIRTY8 Restaurant itself. It is huge! The restaurant by itself is contemporarily styled in a great combination of gold, green and beige.
Before getting there, dress appropriately with a smart casual dress code in mind. Our festive spirit was more general – celebrating the good things in life. For that reason, we indulged in a Hyatt high tea buffet full of deliciousness.
Tea Selection at Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur
The palate cleanser is essential when flavors come and go. For this Grand Hyatt high tea buffet, we got to choose from the Tea Leaf loose tea collection. No matter whether you prefer tea or coffee, both come as free-flow beverages.
Ian’s choice Masala Chai is made of fine spices and black Assam tea. At first, it is smooth with a slight bitterness at the last touch. In addition to that, it is also exotic warming tea with a pleasant taste that easily cleans the pallet.
So-called High On Sugar afternoon tea buffet pointed me into the sweet Morgenthau tea. Mostly because of its fruity mango-citrus flavors and large leaf sencha as a base. It was a good call, full of honey aroma with matching aftertaste. The food selection here at Hyatt high tea buffet is extensive, and there is no way you could choose universal tea right for all bites.
Grand Hyatt High Tea Buffet is Massive
This Hyatt high tea buffet indeed is high on sugar, like they called it themselves. The selection of desserts is crazily extended, and that’s not all. For a savoury part, you get a la carte menu, where you can choose your favorite bites. There is no need to explain that we tried everything, right? And if that is not enough for you, you can stop at the noodle station as well. Like we said, crazy!
Scones at Grand Hyatt High Tea Buffet
Plain and raisin scones are also served at the table with a generous amount of clotted cream. At first, I was missing some jams at THIRTY8 Grand Hyatt high tea. We didn’t get any jam nor have we found any at the high tea buffet table. That, however, didn’t put us off from enjoying the pure clotted cream in all its lusciousness.
The texture of the soufflé shaped scones was light with a delicate, flaky interior and firm crust. The only drawback was the floury taste to some extent. However, that wasn’t a problem after we added the clotted cream.
Savories at Grand Hyatt High Tea Buffet Kuala Lumpur
Before we immersed ourselves into High on sugar afternoon tea buffet, we had to make a strong foundation. For that, we checked the A La Minute Menu (their a la carte menu) and its ten dishes. My first order was a salad for a light and clean start. I loved the Shake salad, with red quinoa sprouts, pomegranate, almond, feta cheese, and lettuce.
This was a fulfilling start, perfect for summer lunch or dinner with sweet and sour dressing. On the other hand, the Caprese salad lacked the fully ripe tomatoes. There were a few different varieties, but no rich tomato taste in any of them. However, part I liked in this Caprese salad was the homemade pesto and mozzarella.
Black Angus Beef Meatballs
Ian’s start at this abounding Hyatt high tea buffet was meaty; Black Angus beef meatballs and Shepherd’s pie. Both dishes were delicious and suited our western taste well. Bite-sized Black Angus meatballs were delicately seasoned and full of umami flavor. They were an excellent match to the creamy paprika sour cream sauce. In the fragrant Shepherd’s pie, we found all we were looking for; moist, full of flavor and creamy texture.
Seabass
We also shared the tender seabass with tofu, bamboo, and cabbage, nicely seasoned with soy sauce and ginger. The fish was cooked perfectly and condiments here were lovely. Another tasty dish we liked was the Wonton noodle soup from the noodle station. Besides the soup, you can also choose all the condiments for the dry noodles as well. We have seen many Wonton stations, but never like this one. Condiments are well presented and the choice is enormous.
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Great for Groups
Noodles station and A La Minute Menu for savory tea party food were extensive enough for us to satisfy our appetite. Most of the dishes on the A La Minute menu are cooked, except the salads. Menu privilege is especially convenient when a group of people heads for a celebration. That way festive spirit continues while main courses are brought to the table.
Furthermore, joy is more significant when you get to pick your sweets, right? More we were into our dishes more we were amazed. This is not an ordinary high tea my friends. Grand Hyatt high tea here in Kuala Lumpur is one crazy FEAST. It sure is the one that sticks to your mind.
The Sweet Part of Hyatt High Tea Buffet Here at Grand Hyatt KL
How High on sugar is an appropriate name for this afternoon tea buffet, I clearly understood after I examined it. “I want to taste everything!” was my first thought. Especially when every dessert is so well presented, it is impossible to think in any other way! However, here comes a spoiler alert, you can’t try everything.
The offer at this Grand Hyatt high tea corresponds to a wide range of preferences. It is a collection of Western and Asian desserts, rounded up with ice cream and chocolate pralines. Here we can also add their cookie station and guilty free fruit buffet table.
Chocolate Heaven
I started with different chocolate pralines, all house made of Valrhona and Callebaut chocolate. Every single praline was melting most pleasantly, leaving the beloved chocolaty taste behind. We know Valrhona chocolate from a past. We had it in delicious dessert at Harvest Bangkok.
Here at Hyatt high tea buffet, the dark chocolate combined with freeze-dried raspberries is the classic that never gets old. In the same classic category is also the milk chocolate praline with chocolate ganache and nuts inside. Last of the luscious pralines was the one made of white chocolate and fruit. Yes, that was a delicious way to choose the next treat with the party already in full swing.
Hazelnut Rocher Cake
I wanted more chocolate, and hazelnut Rocher cake was the perfect call. Its moist chocolate ganache melted away while the nuts provided the firm crunch. It was similar to the chocolate mousse cake Ian and I loved so much at the neighbor here – Mandarin Oriental Mosaic buffet. Hard to say which one is better, but this is not a race. We had two fantastic chocolate desserts around KLCC Park, and this is a win-win for us.
“One more chocolate cake and I’ll move over to the lighter desserts,” I thought to myself when I picked a piece of chocolate banana cake. The first thing I noticed was how the banana taste developed after it got warm in my mouth. Great job chef!
Cakes and More
He he, cakes and more – what a great name for a bakery. Before switching over to the lighter sweets, we shared the tasty carrot walnut cake. I especially liked the dense texture and how evident the walnuts were. Ammmazing!
As I was deciding which tart to take, I couldn’t resist the macaron. It was flawless, with buttery coffee filling. Perfect next to the opera cake. Ouu, right… tart! Immediately, the mini chocolate tart sounded appealing, but it was about time I move on. Fresh berries tartlet with cream cheese worked like a charm to get me off the chocolate. It was pleasantly salty and in sync with Malaysia’s growing cheese affection.
So was the English trifle with fresh berries on top of the cream cheese mousse. Here the creamy mousse completed the strawberry jam and vanilla creme wonderfully.
We Never Give Up, Never
How far can we go at this Grand Hyatt high tea buffet? Ian’s eyes were already rolling and his belt was losing it. I was losing it as well but in the other way. I will not stop, especially when the taste of everything I try is so good. After all, I must try as much as I can for you guys. Readers are our priority and here comes the apple pie.
Apple pie, just like my grandma used to make it on Sundays. Crumble dough which is not dry, yet crunchy, including delicious apple filling with a hint of cinnamon. After this homely dessert, it was time for modern classic – red velvet cake. This one here at Hyatt high tea buffet is nothing less than a school example. Moisty, not too sweet and creamy till the last fork.
Did Someone Say Ice Cream?
I know I barely touched the surface of the sweets at this excellent Grand Hyatt high tea buffet. It is not called High on sugar for no reason! A long counter holds a wide range of all you can eat desserts. It is filled with the finest French delicacies such as macaroons, creme brulee, mille-feuille, pistachio eclair, opera cake…
Obviously, there is also a wide range of Asian sweet treats starting with cendol, pandan and beans varieties. For those of us who aren’t fond of jelly can focus on exquisite tarts of all sorts of ice cream. As a matter of fact, their handcrafted ice cream is a must — especially the Valrhona chocolate ice cream and mango-passion fruit sorbet.
Critique
Every stick has two tails. Kuala Lumpur Hyatt high tea buffet indeed is outstanding, but there is a room for improvements. First, I would point out the service. Even with the generous time frame, the service could be more agile to avoid cramped table. A bit more watchful service would be appreciated in my opinion.
Tied to the table is also another notice, which is about the unpractical spoon; it’s too big. From time to time we get not such practical cutlery, and this spoon is one of those. Anyway, this flaw is easy to overlook.
As far as food is concerned, the majority of the dishes here are delicious and pleasant. Here and there you can find some that are not so good executed dish, which is just a drop in the sea with all this high tea buffet offer.
Regarding the afternoon tea buffet, I was expecting some afternoon tea sandwiches besides the cooked dishes. Given the thought that High on sugar buffet is continually changing it is possible to expect them on different occasions. The other thing I was missing at this Hyatt high tea were jams with scones.
Conclusion
THIRTY8 Restaurant is one of the cool places to eat in Kuala Lumpur. It is also one of the ways to feel the cosmopolitan Kuala Lumpur by indulging into this delicious Hyatt high tea buffet. With a single utterly enjoyable action Ian and I got a taste of cultural blend that is part of Malaysia. Even more so, if ingredients in the dishes are responsibly sourced.
This isn’t an ordinary afternoon tea where you eat some small bites, so you can easier wait for dinner. This my friends is an outstanding feast. Somehow, we like this. Grand Hyatt high tea buffet is an unforgettable experience. Just be prepared or should I say, be hungry.
However, if you aren’t fond of buffets and you would like to indulge a classic afternoon tea, you can try their 3 tier afternoon tea set, which is available from Monday to Friday. Maybe next time we will try out one of those and review it to you. I have a hutch it is a great afternoon tea as well.
High Tea or Rather High Tea Buffet?
At this point, I must express my enthusiasm for another buffet category that is the closest to my heart. Also, the idea of delivering savories to the table undoubtedly influences the sophistication of the afternoon tea tradition. We have a great experience with Hyatt afternoon teas and this one from Kuala Lumpur is no different. If you are looking for your weekend sweet tooth pleasure, this is a place for you!
Hyatt High Tea Review Card
- ATMOSPHERE – 9.1/109.1/10
- SERVICE – 8.8/108.8/10
- TEA SELECTION – 9/109/10
- PRESENTATION – 9.7/109.7/10
- BITES – 9.1/109.1/10
- VALUE – 9.6/109.6/10
Price and Location of Grand Hyatt High Tea
Hyatt high tea buffet or so-called High On Sugar will cost you almost 40 USD per person, which is great value for what you get. On the other hand, through the weekdays they serve 3-tier afternoon tea set for about 22 USD. Here is a link to a location in a case if you don’t know where is Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.
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